Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Memorial to crash seven

Pilot Simon Foddering


By Carla George

A MEMORIAL to celebrate the lives of seven men killed in a helicopter crash will be erected next month.

In December 2006, a SA365 Dauphin helicopter, which was picking up rig workers off Morecambe Bay, crashed into the Irish Sea, killing everyone on board.

Now, on the fifth anniversary of the tragedy, plans have been unveiled to erect a monument to remember those who died and the brave work of the RNLI who tried to rescue them.

Families of the men, led by Sandra Potton, the wife of helicopter pilot Steve Potton, will unveil the memorial with the names of all those who died at a service on Wednesday February 1 at Fleetwood Lifeboat Station.

It will be followed by a service at the North Euston Hotel on The Esplanade.

The stone will include co-pilot Simon Foddering from Preston– and a mention of the RNLI rescuers.

Sandra Potton, who was behind the idea for a memorial stone, said she was ‘over the moon’ a date had been set.

She said: “Ever since a bench was put up I have wanted a better memorial – one with all the names of the men on it.

“It will be somewhere we can all go to think about the loved ones lost.

“It has taken such a long time to organise, I am so glad we are finally there.”

Captain Potton bravely took control of the doomed helicopter just seconds before the crash, in a bid to save the men on board. But his heroic efforts could not prevent the aircraft hitting the water.

Following the crash, lifeboat crews from Fleetwood and St Annes were both involved in a huge maritime search operation.

Wreckage was recovered by crewmen and brought back to the port.

At an inquest into the tragedy in 2009, a jury recorded a verdict of “accidental death”.

Air Accident Investigation Branch experts found no mechanical fault but said the crew had not had training in a simulator, which could have been beneficial.

Mr Potton, his co-pilot Mr Foddering, 33, from Preston, Leslie Ahmed, 48, from South Shields, Alfred Neasham, 57, from Co Durham, John Shaw, 51, from Kirkcaldy, Fife, Keith Smith, 57, from Stockton-on-Tees, and Robert Warburton, 60, from Heysham, Lancashire, will all be remembered on the stone.

County councillor Andrea Kay, said: “I am so pleased we have got to this point, it is so important these men are remembered.

“We have been battling for a long time to see a memorial erected and now we have a date I am ecstatic.

“I think the location is especially poignant as the Fleetwood RLNI is were the rescue lifeboats launched from.

“And crew members spent more than 24 hours searching for bodies.

“I hope as many wives can make it to the service as possible, it would be lovely for everyone to meet again.

“And anyone else wishing to pay their respects are of course welcome.”

The service will take place at 3pm.


Helicopter crash memorial unveiled

A memorial dedicated to seven men who died in the Morecambe Bay helicopter crash more than five years ago will be unveiled on February 1, it has been announced.

The Evening Post reported last month how Sandra Potton, the wife of helicopter pilot Steve Potton has made it her goal to erect a lasting and suitable memorial to those who lost their lives on December 27, 2006.

That night, a SA365 Dauphin helicopter, which was picking up rig workers off Morecambe Bay, crashed into the Irish Sea, killing everyone on board.

A special service will be held at the Fleetwood Lifeboat Station at 3pm.

Families, friends and community leaders are expected to attend.

It will be followed by a service at the North Euston Hotel on The Esplanade.

The stone will include the names of all those who died – including co-pilot Simon Foddering, from Preston, – and a mention of the RNLI rescuers who battled difficult conditions to try and rescue those who plunged into the sea.

Sandra Potton, who was behind the idea for a memorial stone, is said to be “over the moon” that a date has been set.

Those who died are Simon Foddering, 33, from Fulwood, Centrica-employed rig workers Robert Warburton, 60, from Heysham, Leslie Ahmed, 48, from South Shields, John Shaw, 51, from Kirkcaldy, Alfred Neasham, 57, from Durham, pilot Stephen Potton, 52, from Blackpool and contractor Keith Smith, 57, from Stockton-on-Tees.

The memorial is expected to cost several thousand pounds, the cost of which Mrs Potton, who is from North Shore, Blackpool, will meet.

It is hoped that once the memorial is dedicated, a service can be held to remember the men at the same time every year.

Pilot Captain Potton took control of the doomed helicopter just seconds before the crash, in a bid to save the men on board.

But his heroic efforts could not prevent the aircraft hitting the water around 24 miles off the coast of Morecambe.

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